§ 24. Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the measures taken by the Government to tackle crime in Wales. [67895]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyTackling crime is a priority for the Government.
Through the Safer Communities Initiative, all 22 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships in Wales will benefit from extra cash during the current financial year, with an extra £1.1 million in total. In addition, the Crime Fighting Fund will be providing Welsh forces with up to 136 new police recruits over and above their previous recruitment plans.
Since 1997, police numbers in Wales have been rising steadily and the passage of the Police Reform Bill will ensure that police officers can spend more of their time on front line crime fighting duties.